Matt Rowe debated whether to send Beautiful Seaside from her home in Ohio to compete in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at MGM Yonkers Raceway, but as the event’s last preliminary round approaches on Friday, he’s happy with the decision to go. Beautiful Seaside has won two of her three races in the Matchmaker, which is for older female pacers, and heads into Friday’s action in sixth place in the series’ standings.
Tag: Ken Weingartner
Miller aims for Weiss title with developing pair
Julie Miller will hope to see a couple of late bloomers continue their growth Monday (April 21) when they go behind the starting gate for the $50,000 Bobby Weiss Series final for 3-year-old male trotters at Mohegan Pennsylvania’s Pocono Downs. Miller-trained Green Mel, coming off a 4-1/4 length win in a division of last week’s third round of the series, is the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the final. His stablemate Te Quiero Lindy, who had a 5-1/4 length victory in a division of the event’s second round, is the 4-1 third choice.
Tritton trio looks to continue success
After three rounds of both the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series and MGM Borgata Pacing Series, trainer Peter Tritton is pleased with where his horses are positioned in the standings. But he also knows there is still work to be done in the six-week events at MGM Yonkers Raceway. Tritton-trained Silk Cloud A is in second place in the standings of the Matchmaker Series, which is for older female pacers. In the Borgata Series for older male pacers, Tritton’s Mossdale Ben N is in a three-way tie at the top of the standings while his Sherlock N is positioned for a spot in the consolation.
Kakaley trio looks to make up ground in Borgata
Matt Kakaley heads into Monday’s (April 14) third round of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series with three horses on the outside of the top eight in the standings, but each has an inside post position that the driver hopes can be used to pick up big points. Desperate Man, who won four preliminary rounds in last year’s series for older male pacers before finishing third in the final, is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in Monday’s first of four $50,000 Borgata divisions at MGM Yonkers Raceway. He will start from post two as he seeks his first victory in this year’s event.
One newcomer, one returnee, set to start Melander’s season
Marcus Melander will get his stable’s 2025 season underway Friday (April 11) at The Meadowlands, and he will do it with two horses that were competing overseas in recent years. Melander, who last year set career highs with 104 wins and $6.59 million in purses, will send out Aetos Kronos S and S I P in Friday’s featured $17,500 conditioned trot at The Big M.
Game on for Its A Me Mario
Its A Me Mario is capable of bringing grins because of his name, but he also can do it with his performances. A stakes-winning 5-year-old son of American Ideal-NF Salsa, Its A Me Mario heads to Monday’s (April 7) second round of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series at MGM Yonkers Raceway as the 7-5 morning-line favorite in the first of five $50,000 divisions for the older male pacers.
Having a blast with Rocket Deo
Brian Gordon and Matt Morrison have thought highly of Rocket Deo since the day she was born, and their admiration for the pacing mare has only increased over time. Rocket Deo — a 4-year-old who is competing in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, an event won by her mother, Rocklamation, in 2012 — has captured 11 of 23 career races and earned $513,089 for owners Gordon and Morrison (as Morrison Racing Stables) and John Fielding.
Stratton pair favored in Borgata opener
When it comes to consistency, Cory Stratton has a formidable one-two punch in MGM Borgata Pacing Series hopefuls For Once Inmy Life and Chase H Hanover. The two horses have combined for 21 starts for the trainer and hit the board every time.
Ciavardini in his ‘happy place’ with horses
Bob Ciavardini was in his mid-30s when he stepped away from harness racing to focus on a new career and raise a family. Never in the ensuing years did he ever really think about returning, but upon retiring, it didn’t take long for him to reconsider. And now, more than three decades since he left, Ciavardini is relishing every opportunity to take the stage for his second act in the sport.
Dilloian duo set for Matchmaker
Lydeo is a relative newcomer in trainer Doug Dilloian Jr.’s stable, but the 6-year-old female pacer has made a favorable impression in a short period of time. “She’s just one of those horses that never has a bad day,” Dilloian said. “And if I’m having a bad day, she makes my day better.”